U.S. patent application number 12/073143 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-03 for spring tension control system for the tape application rollers of a tape roll dispensing cartridge assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Bryce J. Fox, William J. Menta.
Application Number | 20090218047 12/073143 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41012270 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090218047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fox; Bryce J. ; et
al. |
September 3, 2009 |
Spring tension control system for the tape application rollers of a
tape roll dispensing cartridge assembly
Abstract
A spring tension control system for the front and rear
application roller arms, and for the sealing tape application
rollers mounted thereon, of a tape cartridge assembly of a case
sealing machine comprises a first spring-biasing mechanism to
control the disposition and movement of the front and rear
application roller arms upon which are respectively mounted the
front and rear case sealing tape application rollers for applying
the sealing tape to the vertically oriented front and rear surface
portions of the case. In addition, there is also provided a second
spring biasing mechanism which operatively cooperates with the
first spring biasing mechanism so as to effectively impart an
enhanced amount of tension and speed to the rear case sealing
application roller in order to achieve enhanced case sealing
processing speeds.
Inventors: |
Fox; Bryce J.; (Honesdale,
PA) ; Menta; William J.; (West Wyoming, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven W. Weinrieb;LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN W. WEINRIEB
8717 Cold Spring Road
Potomac
MD
20854
US
|
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
|
Family ID: |
41012270 |
Appl. No.: |
12/073143 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 156/1056 20150115;
Y10T 156/1322 20150115; Y10T 156/1317 20150115; Y10T 156/1052
20150115; B65H 2701/1766 20130101; Y10T 156/1057 20150115; B65H
35/0013 20130101; B65H 2801/81 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/459 |
International
Class: |
B29C 65/50 20060101
B29C065/50 |
Claims
1. A spring tension control system for the tape application rollers
of a case sealing machine, comprising: a framework; a pair of tape
application roller arms movably mounted upon said framework; a pair
of tape application rollers, mounted upon said pair of tape
application roller arms, for applying tape to forward and rearward
portions of a case to be sealed; linkage means for operatively
linking said pair of tape application roller arms together such
that said pair of tape application rollers, disposed upon said pair
of tape application roller arms, are moved together between
original inoperative start positions at which said pair of tape
application rollers are not applying tape to the case to be sealed,
and second operative positions at which said pair of application
rollers are applying tape to the case to be sealed; first spring
means interconnecting one of said pair of tape application roller
arms to said framework for returning said pair of tape application
rollers from said second operative positions back toward said first
inoperative positions; and second spring means operatively
interconnecting one of said pair of tape application roller arms to
said linkage means for rapidly moving one of said pair of tape
application rollers arms having one of said pair of tape
application rollers disposed thereon, that is applying tape to the
rearward portion of the case being sealed, back toward said
original inoperative start position so as to ensure that said one
of said pair of tape application rollers, that is applying tape to
the rearward portion of the case being sealed, is rapidly returned
toward said original inoperative position so as to ensure that a
trailing edge portion of the tape, being applied to the rearward
portion of the case being sealed, is properly applied to the
rearward portion of the case being sealed.
2. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein: said linkage means comprises a link bar having opposit end
portions thereof respectively connected to said pair of tape
application roller arms.
3. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 2,
further comprising: an aperture defined within said link bar; and a
slide block operatively connected to said link bar by a pin
disposed within said aperture defined within said link bar.
4. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 3,
further comprising: a guide rod; said slide block being slidably
mounted upon said guide rod from a first position, corresponding to
said first positions of said pair of tape application rollers, to a
second position corresponding to said second positions of said pair
of tape application rollers.
5. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 4,
further comprising: a stop member disposed upon said guide rod
wherein said second spring means is interposed between said slide
block and said stop member.
6. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 5,
wherein: said second spring means is compressible by said slide
block when slide block is moved from said first position to said
second position; and said second spring means is expansible as said
pair of tape application rollers are moved from said second
positions back to said first positions so as to cause said slide
block to rapidly move from said second position back toward first
position and thereby cause said one of said pair of tape
application roller arms, upon which said one of said pair of tape
application rollers, that is applying tape to the rearward portion
of the case being sealed, is disposed, to be rapidly returned
toward said original position so as to ensure that a trailing edge
portion of the tape, being applied to the rearward portion of the
case being sealed, is properly applied to the rearward portion of
the case being sealed.
7. The spring tension control system as set forth in claim 4,
wherein: a first end portion of said guide rod is operatively
connected to said link bar as a result of said slide block being
slidably disposed upon said guide rod and said slide block being
operatively connected to said link bar; and a second end portion of
said guide rod is operatively connected to said one of said pair of
tape application roller arms upon which said one of said pair of
tape application rollers is disposed that is applying tape to the
rearward portion of the case being sealed.
8. A case sealing machine having a spring tension control system
for the tape application rollers of the case sealing machine,
comprising: a framework; a pair of tape application roller arms
movably mounted upon said framework; a pair of tape application
rollers, mounted upon said pair of tape application roller arms,
for applying tape to forward and rearward portions of a case to be
sealed; linkage means for operatively linking said pair of tape
application roller arms together such that said pair of tape
application rollers, disposed upon said pair of tape application
roller arms, are moved together between original inoperative start
positions at which said pair of tape application rollers are not
applying tape to the case to be sealed, and second operative
positions at which said pair of application rollers are applying
tape to the case to be sealed; first spring means interconnecting
one of said pair of tape application roller arms to said framework
for returning said pair of tape application rollers from said
second operative positions back toward said first inoperative
positions; and second spring means operatively interconnecting one
of said pair of tape application roller arms to said linkage means
for rapidly moving one of said pair of tape application rollers
arms having one of said pair of tape application rollers disposed
thereon, that is applying tape to the rearward portion of the case
being sealed, back toward said original inoperative start position
so as to ensure that said one of said pair of tape application
rollers, that is applying tape to the rearward portion of the case
being sealed, is rapidly returned toward said original inoperative
position so as to ensure that a trailing edge portion of the tape,
being applied to the rearward portion of the case being sealed, is
properly applied to the rearward portion of the case being
sealed.
9. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said
linkage means comprises a link bar having opposit end portions
thereof respectively connected to said pair of tape application
roller arms.
10. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 9, further
comprising: an aperture defined within said link bar; and a slide
block operatively connected to said link bar by a pin disposed
within said aperture defined within said link bar.
11. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising: a guide rod; said slide block being slidably mounted
upon said guide rod from a first position, corresponding to said
first positions of said pair of tape application rollers, to a
second position corresponding to said second positions of said pair
of tape application rollers.
12. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 11, further
comprising: a stop member disposed upon said guide rod wherein said
second spring means is interposed between said slide block and said
stop member.
13. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein:
said second spring means is compressible by said slide block when
slide block is moved from said first position to said second
position; and said second spring means is expansible as said pair
of tape application rollers are moved from said second positions
back to said first positions so as to cause said slide block to
rapidly move from said second position back toward first position
and thereby cause said one of said pair of tape application roller
arms, upon which said one of said pair of tape application rollers,
that is applying tape to the rearward portion of the case being
sealed, is disposed, to be rapidly returned toward said original
position so as to ensure that a trailing edge portion of the tape,
being applied to the rearward portion of the case being sealed, is
properly applied to the rearward portion of the case being
sealed.
14. The case sealing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein: a
first end portion of said guide rod is operatively connected to
said link bar as a result of said slide block being slidably
disposed upon said guide rod and said slide block being operatively
connected to said link bar; and a second end portion of said guide
rod is operatively connected to said one of said pair of tape
application roller arms upon which said one of said pair of tape
application rollers is disposed that is applying tape to the
rearward portion of the case being sealed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to carton or case
sealing machines, and more particularly to a new and improved
spring tension control system for the front and rear application
roller arms, and for the sealing tape application rollers mounted
thereon, of a tape cartridge assembly of the carton or case sealing
machine wherein, in addition to the provision of a first
spring-biasing mechanism, which is utilized to control the
disposition and movement of the front application roller arm, upon
which is mounted the front carton or case sealing tape application
roller for applying the sealing tape to the vertically oriented
front surface portion of the carton or case, as well as to
simultaneously control the disposition and movement of the rear
application roller arm, upon which is mounted the rear carton or
case sealing tape application roller, for applying the sealing tape
to the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or
case, there is also provided a second spring-biasing mechanism
which effectively cooperates with the first spring biasing
mechanism so as to impart an increased or enhanced amount of
tension and speed to the rear application roller arm at a
predetermined point in time of the carton or case sealing
operational cycle so as to, in turn, effectively impart an
increased or enhanced amount of tension and speed to the rear
carton or case sealing application roller in order for the rear
carton or case sealing tape application roller to in fact contact
the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case
with the proper degree of tension and speed in order to properly
secure the rear tab portion of the sealing tape along the
vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case
without permitting the rear tab portion of the sealing tape to
experience any slack, or without permitting the rear tab portion of
the sealing tape to become looped which would lead to the improper
sealing of the rear tab portion of the sealing tape upon the
vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case. In
this manner, increased or enhanced carton or case sealing
processing speeds are in fact able to be attained or achieved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In connection with the operation of carton or case sealing
machines, it is desirable to run or operate the carton or case
sealing operation line at a relatively high rate of speed. It has
been found, however, that in order to in fact achieve such
relatively high processing speeds, the rear application roller arm,
upon which is disposed the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller is mounted, must be actuated or moved at a
predetermined point in time of the carton or case sealing
operational cycle with an increased or enhanced amount of tension
or speed such that the rear carton or case sealing tape application
roller will in fact engage the vertically oriented rear surface
portion of the carton or case with a high rate of speed in order
that the rear carton or case sealing tape application roller can in
fact properly apply the rear tab portion of the sealing tape onto
the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case
without permitting the rear tab portion of the sealing tape to
experience any slack, or without permitting the rear tab portion of
the sealing tape to become looped, whereby the carton or case would
not in fact be properly sealed.
[0003] The problem, however, with simply increasing the tension
applied or imparted to the rear application roller arm, upon which
is disposed the rear carton or case sealing tape application
roller, is that since the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller is operatively connected to the front carton or
case sealing tape application roller, then the enhanced or
increased tension is also imparted to the front application roller
arm and, in effect, to the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller. Applying or imparting such enhanced or
increased pressure to, in effect, the front car-ton or case sealing
tape application roller, however, is in fact problematic in that
such enhanced or increased pressure, effectively applied or
imparted to the front carton or case sealing tape application
roller, will, in turn, be applied or imparted to, for example, the
front and top surface portions of the carton or case. Normally,
however, the corrugated box structure may not be inherently strong,
or alternatively, the box, carton, or case may not be completely
filled, or the particular contents with which the box, carton, or
case is filled may not be sufficiently strong so as to effectively
resist such added pressure. Accordingly, portions of the box,
carton, or case may effectively be crushed, or alternatively, the
application roller may simply be pushed through, for example, the
upper surface portion of the box, carton, or case.
[0004] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved
spring tension control system for the tape application rollers of a
tape cartridge assembly which will permit an enhanced or increased
amount of tension to in fact be able to be imparted to, or
impressed upon, the rear application roller arm so as to, in
effect, actuate the rear application roller arm, and the rear
carton or case sealing application roller disposed thereon, with a
higher rate of speed so as to permit enhanced or increased carton
or case sealing processing speeds to be attained or achieved
without encountering the aforenoted drawbacks of conventional
spring-biased application roller arm control systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in
accordance with the teachings and principles of the present
invention through the provision of a new and improved spring
tension control system for the front and rear application roller
arms, and for the sealing tape application rollers mounted thereon,
of a tape cartridge assembly of a carton or case sealing machine
wherein, in addition to the provision of a first spring-biasing
mechanism, which is utilized to control the disposition and
movement of the front application roller arm, upon which is mounted
the front carton or case sealing tape application roller for
applying the sealing tape to the vertically oriented front surface
portion of the carton or case, as well as to simultaneously control
the disposition and movement of the rear application roller arm,
upon which is mounted the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller, for applying the sealing tape to the vertically
oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case, there is also
provided a second spring-biasing mechanism which is effectively
compressed after the front and rear application roller arms have
been moved towards each other to a predetermined degree subsequent
to the front carton or case sealing tape application roller being
engaged by the vertically oriented front surface portion of the
carton or case.
[0006] Subsequently, after the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller has applied the sealing tape to the vertically
oriented front surface portion of the carton or case, as well as
to, for example, the horizontally oriented top surface portion of
the carton or case, and after the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller has effectively passed beyond the vertically
oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case whereby the
rear carton or case sealing tape application roller is now disposed
immediately adjacent to the upper rear portion of the carton or
case and is about to begin to pass beyond the vertically oriented
rear surface portion of the carton or case, the second
spring-biasing mechanism will effectively cooperate with the first
spring-biasing mechanism so as to impart an increased or enhanced
amount of tension and speed to the rear application roller arm so
as to, in turn, effectively impart an increased or enhanced amount
of tension and speed to the rear carton or case sealing application
roller in order for the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller to in fact contact the vertically oriented rear
surface portion of the carton or case with the proper degree of
tension and speed in order to properly secure the rear tab portion
of the sealing tape along the vertically oriented rear surface
portion of the carton or case without permitting the rear tab
portion of the sealing tape to experience any slack, or without
permitting the rear tab portion of the sealing tape to become
looped which would lead to the improper sealing of the rear tab
portion of the sealing tape upon the vertically oriented rear
surface portion of the carton or case. In this manner, increased or
enhanced carton or case sealing processing speeds are in fact able
to be attained or achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] Various other features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0008] The SOLE FIGURE is a perspective view of a new and improved
spring tension control system, for the front and rear application
roller arms, and for the sealing tape application rollers mounted
thereon, of a tape cartridge assembly of a carton or case sealing
machine, which has been constructed in accordance with the
principles and teachings of the present invention and which shows
the cooperative parts thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0009] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to the
SOLE FIGURE thereof, a new and improved spring tension control
system, for the front and rear application roller arms, and for the
sealing tape application rollers mounted thereon, of a tape
cartridge assembly of a carton or case sealing machine, which has
been constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of
the present invention and which shows the cooperative parts
thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference
character 100. More particularly, it is seen that the new and
improved spring tension control system 100 comprises a main
mounting plate 102 by means of which the entire spring tension
control system 100 is mounted upon the framework of the carton or
case sealing machine. A first front application roller arm 104,
upon the lower end portion of which is mounted a front carton or
case sealing tape application roller 106 for applying the sealing
tape to the vertically oriented front surface portion of the carton
or case, is pivotally mounted upon the main mounting plate 102 by
means of a first pivot pin assembly 108, and a second rear
application roller arm 110, up-on the lower end portion of which is
mounted a rear carton or case sealing tape application roller 112
for applying the sealing tape to the vertically oriented rear
surface portion of the carton or case, is pivotally mounted upon
the main mounting plate 102 by means of a second pivot pin assembly
114.
[0010] A link bar 116 has a first end portion thereof pivotally
connected to a central portion of the first front application
roller arm 104 as at 118, while a second opposite end portion of
the link bar 116 is pivotally connected to an upper end portion of
the second rear application roller arm 110 as at 120 such that the
link bar 116 operatively interconnects the first front and second
rear application roller arms 104,110 together. Accordingly, it can
be appreciated that when, for example, the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106, mounted upon the first front
application roller arm 104, encounters the vertically oriented
front surface portion of the carton or case to be sealed with the
sealing tape, the front carton or case sealing tape application
roller 106 will initially be effectively pushed, by means of the
vertically oriented front surface portion of the carton or case,
toward the left, as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE, such that as a
result of the pivotal movement of the first front application
roller arm 104, in the clockwise direction, around its pivot axis
as defined by means of its pivot pin assembly 108, the front carton
or case sealing tape application roller 106 will effectively be
moved along an arcuate path from its original or start position, as
illustrated in solid lines within the SOLE FIGURE, to an end of
movement position, as is illustrated in dotted lines within the
SOLE FIGURE. Simultaneously therewith, it can be readily
appreciated that, as a result of the aforenoted operative
interconnection defined between the first front application roller
arm 104 and the second rear application roller arm 110 by means of
the link bar 116, the second rear application roller arm 110 will
be pivotally moved in a counterclockwise direction around its pivot
axis, as defined by means of its pivot pin assembly 114, such that
the upper end portion of the second rear application roller arm 110
will be moved toward the left as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE
while the lower end portion of the second rear application roller
arm 110, upon which is mounted the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112, such that the rear carton or case sealing
tape application roller 112 will effectively be moved along an
arcuate path from its original or start position, as illustrated in
solid lines within the SOLE FIGURE, to an end of movement position,
as is illustrated in dotted lines within the SOLE FIGURE.
[0011] It is also seen that a first spring-biasing means, in the
form of a coil spring 122, has a first end portion 124 engaged with
a mounting pin 126 which is fixedly mounted upon the main mounting
plate 102, while a second opposite end portion 128 of the first
spring-biasing means 122 is adapted to be engaged within any one
of, for example, five apertures 130 defined within a bracket 132
which is integrally mounted upon the second rear application roller
arm 110. In this manner, when the first front application roller
arm 104 and the second rear application roller arm 110 are
pivotally moved from their original positions, at which the front
carton or case sealing tape application roller 106 and the rear
carton or case sealing tape application roller 112 are respectively
illustrated by means of solid lines within the SOLE FIGURE, to
their end of movement positions at which the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 and the rear carton or case
sealing tape application roller 112 are respectively illustrated by
means of dotted lines within the SOLE FIGURE, the first spring
biasing means 122 will be expanded whereby the same will cause the
first front application roller arm 104 and the second rear
application roller arm 110, upon which the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 and the rear carton or case
sealing tape application roller 112 are respectively mounted, to be
returned to their original or start positions, as illustrated by
means of the solid lines within the SOLE FIGURE, when the first
spring biasing means 122 is permitted to contract back to its
original state, as illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, at a
predetermined point of time of the tape sealing operational cycle
as will be explained more fully hereinafter. It is lastly noted in
connection with the first spring biasing means 122, and the
connection of its second end portion 128 to the bracket 132 mounted
upon the second rear application roller arm 110, that the provision
of, for example, the five different apertures 130 defined within
the bracket 132 permits the actual tension of the first
spring-biasing means 122 to be operatively adjusted as desired.
[0012] Continuing further, in accordance with additional principles
and teachings of the present invention, it is seen that a slide
block 134 is movably mounted upon a guide rod 136, and that the
left end portion of the guide rod 136 is pivotally connected to a
substantially central portion of the second rear application roller
arm 110 by means of a pivot pin assembly 138. The slide block 134
is pivotally connected to the link bar 116 by means of a pivot pin,
not visible, which projects outwardly from, in effect, the back
side of the slide block 134 so as to be disposed within an
aperture, also not visible, which is defined within the link bar
116. In this manner, the slide block 134 is movable, along with the
link bar 116, from its original or start position, as illustrated
within the SOLE FIGURE, to an end of movement position when the
link bar 116 is itself moved from its original or start position as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE to its end of movement position
which correlates with the angular or pivotal movements of the first
front application roller arm 104 and the second rear application
roller arm 110 having the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller 106 and the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112 respectively mounted thereon, as has been
previously described. Still yet further, it is also seen that a
stop member 140, in the form of, for example, a washer, is fixedly
secured at a predetermined location upon he guide rod 136, and a
second spring biasing means 142, in the form of a coil spring, is
fixedly disposed upon the guide rod 136 as a result of effectively
having several coils thereof being operatively engaged with the
stop member or washer 140.
[0013] Accordingly, when the slide block 134 is moved toward the
left, as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE, from its original or start
position to its end of movement position adjacent to the stop
member or washer 140, the second spring biasing means 142 will be
compressed so as to exert an increased or enhanced amount of
biasing force, pressure, or tension upon the second rear
application roller arm 110 for an operational purpose that will be
explained more fully hereinafter. It is lastly noted that a knife
support arm 144, as more fully described within copending patent
application entitled QUICK CHANGE KNIFE BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR A TAPE
ROLL DISPENSING CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY OF A CASE SEALING MACHINE, is
also pivotally mounted upon the main mounting plate 102, wherein
the knife support arm 144 is adapted to have a downwardly extending
or dependent knife blade or cutting member 146 fixedly mounted
thereon, the knife support arm 144 being biased in a downward mode
by a spring-biasing means, not shown, such that the knife support
arm 144 is normally disposed at its lowered position as illustrated
within the SOLE FIGURE. A knife blade guard or cover 148 is
pivotally mounted upon the knife support arm 144 so as to be
movable between a first position at which the knife blade guard or
cover 148 covers the knife blade or cutting member 146 so as to
protect operator or maintenance personnel, and a second position at
which the knife blade guard or cover 148 effectively uncovers the
knife blade or cutting member 146 so as to permit the knife blade
or cutting member 146 to cut the sealing tape in order to, for
example, effectively define a rear tab portion of the sealing tape
which is adapted to be applied, by means of a wiping operation,
onto the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or
case by means of the rear carton or case sealing tape application
roller 112.
[0014] The knife blade guard or cover 148 is provided with a
dependent tab member 150 which is adapted to be engaged by the
carton or case to be sealed, as the carton or case is being moved
along its tape sealing path, so as to effectively move the knife
guard or cover 148 from its first position, at which the knife
blade guard or cover 148 covers the knife blade or cutting member
146, to its second position at which the knife blade guard or cover
148 effectively uncovers the knife blade or cutting member 146, and
it is also noted that the knife blade guard or cover 148 is also
provided with an upstanding bracket member 152 within which there
is defined an aperture, not clearly visible within the SOLE FIGURE.
Correspondingly, the slide block 134 is provided with a dependent
lug member 154 which is adapted to be engaged within the aperture,
not visible, which is defined within the upstanding bracket member
152 when the slide block 134 is disposed at its original or start
position as illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE. In this manner, the
knife blade guard or cover 148 is effectively prevented from being
moved from its covered position with respect to the knife blade or
cutting member 146 to its uncovered position with respect to the
knife blade or cutting member 146.
[0015] Alternatively, when the slide block 134 is moved toward the
left from its original or start position to its end of movement
position, as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE, such as, for example,
when the link bar 116 is moved from its original or start position,
as illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, to its end of movement
position in correlation with the angular or pivotal movements of
the first front application roller arm 104 and the second rear
application roller arm 110, having the front carton or case sealing
tape application roller 106 and the rear carton or case sealing
tape application roller 112 respectively mounted thereon, as has
been previously described, the lug member 154 will be disengaged
from the aperture, not visible, defined within the up-standing
backet member 152 of the knife blade guard or cover 148. In this
manner, the knife blade guard or cover 148 will be permitted to be
moved to its uncovered position with respect to the knife blade or
cutting member 146 so as to, in turn, permit the knife blade or
cutting member 146 to perform its sealing tape cutting function at
the predetermined point in time of the carton or case sealing
operation.
[0016] Having described substantially all of the structural
components comprising the new and improved spring tension control
system 100 of the present invention, a brief operational cycle of
the new and improved spring tension control system 100 of the
present invention will now be described. More particularly, it is
firstly noted that a leading end tab portion of the carton or case
sealing tape is adapted to be routed, for example, from a tape
supply roll, not shown, around a right external peripheral side
surface portion of a first idler roller 156, beneath a lower
external peripheral surface portion of the first idler roller 156,
over an upper external peripheral surface portion of a second idler
roller 158, and around a left external peripheral side surface
portion of the second idler roller 158. From the second idler
roller 158, the leading end tab portion of the carton or case
sealing tape is conducted between third and fourth idler rollers
160,162 so as to effectively be conducted onto a guide plate 164
such that the free end portion of the leading end tab portion of
the carton or case sealing tape will be disposed upon or alongside
the right external peripheral side surface portion of the front
carton or case sealing tape application roller 106. In this manner,
the leading end tab portion of the carton or case sealing tape will
effectively be interposed or sandwiched between the right external
peripheral side surface portion of the front carton or case sealing
tape application roller 106 and the vertically oriented front
surface portion of the carton or case, when the vertically oriented
front surface portion of the carton or case engages the front
carton or case sealing tape application roller 106.
[0017] Subsequently, as the carton or case is then conveyed in the
conveyance direction, which extends from right to left as viewed
within the SOLE FIGURE, the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller 106 will, in effect, be forced toward the left,
as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE, and will also begin to move
upwardly along the vertically oriented front surface portion of the
carton or case, as the conveyed carton or case effectively pushes
the front carton or case sealing tape application roller 106 out of
its way whereby the front carton or case sealing tape application
roller 106 will effectively apply the leading end tab portion of
the carton or case sealing tape onto the vertically oriented front
surface portion of the carton or case by means of a wiping action.
As a result of the aforenoted movement of the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106, the first front application
roller arm 104 will be forced to rotate in the clockwise direction
around its pivot pin assembly 108 thereby causing the link bar 116
to effectively be moved toward the left and to be simultaneously
rotated a predetermined amount, in the counterclockwise direction,
around a pivot axis effectively defined by means of its connection
to the slide block 134 and as respectively permitted by means of
the pivotal connections 118,120 defined between the opposite ends
of the link bar 116 and the first and second front and rear
application roller arms 104,110. In addition, since the second rear
application roller arm 110 is operatively connected to the first
front application roller arm 104 by means of the link bar 116, the
second rear application roller arm 110 will be pivoted or rotated
in the counterclockwise direction around its pivot pin assembly 114
whereby the second carton or case sealing tape application roller
112 will begin to move upwardly and toward the first carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 until both of the front and
rear carton or case sealing tape application rollers 106, 112
ultimately reach their end of movement positions, as illustrated by
means of the dotted lines within the SOLE FIGURE, at which point in
time the front carton or case sealing tape application roller 106
will be disposed upon the horizontally oriented upper surface
portion of the carton or case while the second carton or case
sealing tape application roller 112 will be disposed at a position
which is spaced just above the upper surface portion of the carton
or case. As a result of such movements, the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 will be able to wipe the carton
or case sealing tape along the upper surface portion of the carton
or case in the direction extending from the vertically oriented
front surface portion of the carton or case toward the vertically
oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case as the carton
or case is being continuously conveyed along its conveyance path
which is now, in effect, disposed beneath the front and rear carton
or case sealing tape application rollers 106,112.
[0018] It is also to be noted at this point in time that in view of
the substantially leftward movement of the link bar 116, and its
operative connection to the slide block 134, the slide block 134
will be moved along the guide rod 136 such that the dependent lug
member 154 of the slide block 134 will be disengaged from the
aperture formed within the bracket member 152 of the knife blade
guard or cover 148. In this manner, as the carton or case is being
conveyed along its conveyance path, the upper portion of the
vertically oriented front surface portion of the carton or case
will encounter the tab member 150 of the knife blade guard or cover
148 so as to effectively pivot the same to its uncovered position
thereby uncovering or exposing the knife blade or cutting member
146. In addition, the vertically oriented front surface portion of
the carton or case will also encounter the knife support arm 144 so
as to effectively move the same, along with the knife blade or
cutting member 146 and the knife blade guard or cover 148 mounted
thereon, to an elevated position, against its spring-biasing means,
for a purpose to be explained hereinafter and which is also
described within the aforenoted copending patent application
entitled QUICK CHANGE KNIFE BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR A TAPE ROLL
DISPENSING CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY OF A CASE SEALING MACHINE.
[0019] Subsequently, as the front carton or case sealing tape
application roller 106 approaches the upper rear edge portion of
the carton or case, and in view of the fact that the front carton
or case sealing tape application roller 106 is disposed at its
dotted line position as illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, whereby
the front carton or case sealing tape application roller 106 is
seen to be disposed immediately adjacent to the uncovered or
exposed knife blade or cutting member 146, the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 will, in effect, fall off or be
disengaged from the upper surface portion of the carton or case,
and immediately thereafter, the knife support arm 144 will
likewise, in effect, fall off or be disengaged from the upper
surface portion of the carton or case. In view of the aforenoted
spring-biasing of the knife support arm 144, the knife support arm
144 will now be biased back toward its original lowered position as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, whereby the knife blade or
cutting member 146 can cut or sever the carton or case sealing tape
thereby forming a rear tab portion of the carton or case sealing
tape which is to be applied along the vertically oriented rear
surface portion of the carton or case by means of a wiping action
performed by means of the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112.
[0020] It is to be noted that since both the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 and the knife support arm 144
are no longer engaged with or disposed upon the upper surface
portion of the carton or case being sealed, the rear carton or case
sealing tape application roller 112 is able to, in effect, be
lowered into engagement with the upper surface portion of the
carton or case being sealed so as to in fact perform its sealing
function with respect to rear tab portion of the carton or case
sealing tape along the vertically oriented rear surface portion of
the carton or case. It is also to be noted that since the rear
carton or case sealing tape application roller 112 is at this point
in time disposed at its dotted line position, as illustrated within
the SOLE FIGURE, whereby the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112 will also be disposed immediately adjacent
to the left end portion of the knife support arm 144 and the knife
blade or cutting member 146, then when the knife support arm 144
and the knife blade or cutting member 146 move to their lowered
positions at which the knife blade or cutting member 146 cuts or
severs the sealing tape in order to form the aforenoted rear tab
portion of the sealing tape, the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112 will be substantially disposed at the upper
rear edge or corner region of the carton or case. Still further, in
view of the aforenoted disengagement of the front carton or case
sealing tape application roller 106 from the upper surface portion
of the carton or case, and the commencement of the downward
movement thereof through, in effect, its return stroke or movement
between its dotted line position and its solid line position, the
second spring biasing means 142, which is disposed upon the guide
rod 136 and which was previously compressed by means of the slide
block 134 when the slide block 134 was moved from its rightwardmost
position, illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, to its leftwardmost
position adjacent to the stop member 140, will now tend to expand
back toward its normally non-compressed state.
[0021] It is interesting to note, however, that the expansion of
the second spring-biasing means 142 back toward its normally
non-compressed state does not directly cause the second rear
application roller arm 110 to move with an increased or enhanced
amount of speed in the clockwise direction so as to, in turn, cause
the rear carton or case sealing tape application roller 112 to
rapidly move toward the left and back to its original position, as
illustrated in solid lines as viewed within the SOLE FIGURE, so as
to rapidly engage and apply the rear tab portion of the sealing
tape onto the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the
carton or case by means of the aforenoted wiping action. In fact,
such rapid clockwise movement of the second rear application roller
arm 110, and the consequent rapid leftward movement of the rear
carton or case sealing tape application roller 112, is
accomplished, in effect, indirectly as a result of the expansion of
the second spring-biasing means 142.
[0022] More particularly, when the rear carton or case sealing tape
application roller 112 is disposed at its dotted line position as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, the pivot pin assembly 138,
operatively connecting the left end portion of the guide rod 136 to
the second rear application roller arm 110, will, in effect, be
disposed above the pivot pin assembly 114, by means of which the
second rear application roller arm 110 is pivotally mounted upon
the main mounting plate 102, as a result of the angular movement of
the second rear application roller arm 110 around its pivot pin
assembly 114 as the rear carton or case sealing tape application
roller 112 is moved from its original solid line position as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE to its dotted line position as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE. Accordingly, when the second
spring biasing means 142 undergoes its expansion, if the expansion
force of the same was directed toward the left so as to be imparted
directly toward the second rear application roller arm 110, as
viewed in the SOLE FIGURE, it would be oriented along a direction
which would not in fact tend to move the second rear application
roller arm 110 in the clockwise direction so as to in fact return
the second rear application roller arm 110, and the rear carton or
case sealing tape application roller 112 to its original solid line
position.
[0023] In fact, therefore, the expansion force of the second spring
biasing means 142 operates or acts, in effect, in conjunction with
the contraction forces of the first spring biasing means 122, which
was previously expanded when the front and rear carton or case
sealing tape application rollers 106, 112 were moved from their
solid line positions to their dotted line positions as illustrated
within the SOLE FIGURE, so as to be quickly imparted to and
impressed upon the slide block 134 in order to quickly move the
same along the guide rod 136 back toward its original position, as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE. In this manner, the link bar
116 will be rapidly returned to its original position, as
illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, under the influence of both the
contraction force of the first spring-biasing means 122 and the
expansion force of the second spring-biasing means 142, such that
the left end portion of the link bar 116, which is pivotally
connected to the upper end portion of the second rear application
roller arm 110, will, in effect, act upon the upper end portion of
the second rear application roller arm 110 so as to cause the same
to be rapidly rotated in the clockwise direction so as to in fact
rapidly move the rear carton or case sealing tape application
roller 112 in the leftward direction, back toward its original
position as illustrated within the SOLE FIGURE, for its rapid
engagement with the rear tab portion of the sealing tape in order
to quickly and properly apply the same onto the vertically oriented
rear surface portion of the carton or case being sealed.
[0024] Thus, it may be seen that a new and improved spring tension
control system for the front and rear application roller arms, and
for the sealing tape application rollers mounted thereon, of a tape
cartridge assembly of the carton or case sealing machine has been
disclosed wherein a first spring-biasing mechanism is utilized to
control the disposition and movement of the front application
roller arm upon which is mounted a front carton or case sealing
tape application roller for applying the sealing tape to the
vertically oriented front surface portion of the carton or case,
and to simultaneously control the disposition and movement of the
rear application roller arm upon which is mounted the rear carton
or case sealing tape application roller for applying the sealing
tape to the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton
or case. In addition, there is also provided a second spring
biasing mechanism which operatively cooperates with the first
spring biasing mechanism so as to effectively impart an increased
or enhanced amount of tension and speed to the rear application
roller arm at a predetermined point in time of the carton or case
sealing operational cycle. In this manner, an increased or enhanced
amount of tension and speed is effectively imparted to the rear
carton or case sealing application roller in order for the rear
carton or case sealing tape application roller to in fact contact
the vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case
with the proper degree of tension and speed in order to properly
secure the rear tab portion of the sealing tape along the
vertically oriented rear surface portion of the carton or case.
Accordingly, increased or enhanced carton or case sealing
processing speeds are in fact able to be attained or achieved.
[0025] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
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